Feeder belt for true multi-fire surgical stapler

Abstract

An exemplary surgical apparatus may include a feeder belt configured as a continuous loop; staples fixed to and shearable from the continuous feeder belt; apertures defined in the continuous feeder belt; and a gear positioned at the distal end of the feeder belt within the continuous loop, where the gear engages at least one of the apertures to move the continuous feeder belt around the gear. Another exemplary surgical apparatus may include a feeder belt; a plurality of staples fixed to and shearable from the continuous feeder belt; and a plurality of teeth defined on the continuous feeder belt. Another exemplary surgical apparatus may include a continuous belt assembly that has a flexible rack with two ends, and a feeder belt with two ends, each end of the feeder belt connected to a corresponding end of the flexible rack; and staples fixed to and shearable from the continuous feeder belt.

1. A surgical apparatus, comprising:
 a continuous belt assembly comprising
 a flexible rack having two ends, and 
 a feeder belt having two ends, each said end of said feeder belt connected to a corresponding said end of said flexible rack; and 
 
 a plurality of staples fixed to and shearable from said continuous feeder belt. 
 
     
     
       2. The surgical apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein a plurality of teeth extend from said flexible rack. 
     
     
       3. The surgical apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one gear that engages said flexible rack to drive said flexible rack around said gear. 
     
     
       4. The surgical apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein two gears engage said flexible rack and tension said flexible rack therebetween. 
     
     
       5. The surgical apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said flexible rack comprises a chain.